Both sides claim victory in Indonesian Poll

Both sides claimed victory  in Indonesia’s tightest and most divisive presidential election since the end of authoritarian rule, as unofficial tallies showed Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo leading ex-general Prabowo Subianto. Widodo, the first serious presidential contender without roots in the era of dictator Suharto, declared victory in the world’s third largest democracy after the tallies from reliable polling agencies showed him leading by four to five percentage points. But shortly afterwards Prabowo, who has admitted human rights abuses during the Suharto era and was formerly married to one of the strongman’s daughters, also claimed victory. Prabowo said survey institutes used by his campaign team showed that he and running mate Hatta Rajasa “have received the support and mandate from the people of Indonesia”. A spokesman for Widodo’s campaign called on Prabowo and his running mate to behave like “statesmen”.

It was an unprecedented standoff in Indonesia since Suharto’s downfall in 1998. The only two other direct presidential elections since then were won resoundingly by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.